Schuylkill River Trail Wins Best Urban Trail

Summer is the perfect season go get active in the great outdoors, and thanks to an ever-growing network of urban recreational trails, staying active this season is easier than ever!

Rose Kennedy GreenwayBoston

The Rose Kennedy Greenway is unique, in that it’s a fully organic park, the only one in Boston and one of a few in the nation. This means no chemicals and pesticides, minimal water use and the grass is always safe for kids to roll around on. Kids also love the multiple water features and the carousel. As you stroll through the greenway, grab a bite to eat at the regular food trucks on site and even bring your work outside; the area offers free, public wifi.Photo courtesy of Kindra Clineff/MOTT

River Walk and Mission TrailSan Antonio

San Antonio is known for its four historic missions, and this unique urban trail brings them all together, making them easier for visitors and residents to explore and learn about. The Mission Trail follows the San Antonio River eight miles through historic neighborhoods, but you can start and stop at any point between various missions, which offer bikers, walkers and joggers water on site. A few missions even serve food. This is where historic tourism meets outdoor rec.Photo courtesy of San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau

Atlanta BeltLineAtlanta

The Atlanta BeltLine claims to be the most comprehensive revitalization project in the city, and one of the most notable in the country. This project will link parks, trails and transit along an existing historic railroad corridor circling downtown. The beltline will connect 45 different Atlanta neighborhoods and help transform the city into a more sustainable community, with 33 miles of trails, pedestrian-friendly public transportation and a more strategically connected city and greenspace.Photo courtesy of Miguel Lugo

American River Bike TrailSacramento

The American River Bike Trail is a popular, paved trail in Sacramento for outdoor recreation and also commuting around town. In fact, many residents use this 32-mile trail as their main path for transportation. It’s recognized as one of the nation’s longest, paved bike-specific paths in the nation. The trail will bring you all the way from downtown Sacramento (the Sacramento River) to the city of Folsom (specifically, Folsom Lake).Photo courtesy of Kati Garner / Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau

Indianapolis Cultural TrailIndianapolis

This 8-mile-long urban trail that connects six of Indianapolis’s different cultural districts has been called the “biggest and boldest step by an American city.” It didn’t come cheap, at the tune of $63 million, but this beautiful, landscaped path strategically and artfully weaves together neighborhoods, attractions and entertainment. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail makes it easy and healthy to explore the city.Photo courtesy of Lavengood Photography

Buffalo Bayou ParkHouston

Buffalo Bayou Park is 124 acres of space in the heart of Houston. Take a pause from the hustle of the city to jog on trails, go biking, gaze at the skyline, visit one of the city’s most famous fountains, the Gus S. Wortham Memorial Fountain, and visit the skatepark. The Lee & Joe Jamail Skatepark is one of the top skateparks in the nation, featuring 30,000 feet of skating space. At at Buffalo Bayou Park: a police officer memorial and the Rosemont foot and bike bridge.Photo courtesy of Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau

Swamp Rabbit TrailGreenville, S.C.

This trail in South Carolina is named after a railroad that was named after a type of rabbit, and now that the railroad no longer runs, this trail follows its path, along the Reedy River. The Swamp Rabbit Trail snakes nearly 19 miles across Greenville, from picnic areas and parks to schools and businesses. It’s a popular geocaching hotspot, too. About a half a million people used the trail last year, generating $6.7 million in tourism for the city.Photo courtesy of Visit Greenville SC

MKT Nature and Fitness TrailColumbia, Mo.

This trail centers around outdoor recreation and fitness, but it also provides a unique educational offering. You can download a “Voices from the Past” guided tour on your cell phone to learn about the various memorial benches along the path. Also along this nearly nine-mile path, you can find fitness stations and drinking fountains to refuel. It’s popular year-round among athletes, joggers, cyclists, hikers and nature-lovers. The MKT (named for the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad) is part of the Katy Trail, considered the longest trail in the nation.Photo courtesy of HornColumbia / Wikimedia Commons

Schuylkill River TrailPhiladelphia

This trail that follows the Schuylkill River is in the process of expansion, not quite halfway done, but it already features more than 60 miles of trails through Philly. Forget the car and take a bike to commute from Philadelphia to Phoenixville (and get some exercise while you’re at it) in this beautiful national and state heritage area. Coming soon: a walking bridge to cross the river in Valley Forge.Photo courtesy of M. Edlow for Visit Philadelphia

USA TODAY 10Best teamed up with a panel of travel and outdoor recreation experts to nominate 20 trails for the title of Best Urban Trail. Our readers have been voting daily for the past four weeks, and now we have a winner!

Coming in first place is Philadelphia's Schuylkill River Trail, a still-expanding project that already includes more than 60 miles of trails along the Schuylkill River.

A panel of experts picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Barbara Tullpane (National Recreation and Park Association) and Larry Bleiberg (USA TODAY) were chosen based on their extensive knowledge of urban parks and trails across the nation.

The Experts

Barbara Tulipane

As the President and CEO of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Barbara Tulipane is responsible for developing strategic partnerships, building organizational capacity, and overseeing national policy and advocacy efforts related to parks, recreation and conservation. You won’t find Barbara sitting in her office – rather you’re likely to spot her out on the trails getting active. As Barbara travels the country meeting with park and recreation professionals, what she enjoys most is getting out and exploring cities by using the many trails, paths, greenways and even blue ways managed and maintained by local park and recreation departments. For more information, visit nrpa.org.

Barbara Tulipane

As the President and CEO of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Barbara Tulipane is responsible for developing strategic partnerships, building organizational capacity, and overseeing national policy and advocacy efforts related to parks, recreation and conservation. You won’t find Barbara sitting in her office – rather you’re likely to spot her out on the trails getting active. As Barbara travels the country meeting with park and recreation professionals, what she enjoys most is getting out and exploring cities by using the many trails, paths, greenways and even blue ways managed and maintained by local park and recreation departments. For more information, visit nrpa.org.

Larry Bleiberg

Larry Bleiberg, a veteran journalist with magazine, newspaper and web experience, has spent much of his career living in, and writing about, the South. The Virginia native is former travel editor of the Dallas Morning News and Coastal Living magazine and founder of CivilRightsTravel.com. He served on a Pulitzer Prize team, is a seven-time Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award winner, and was honored for producing the best newspaper travel section in North America. Learn more at LarryBleiberg.com or facebook.com/larry.bleiberg.

Larry Bleiberg

Larry Bleiberg, a veteran journalist with magazine, newspaper and web experience, has spent much of his career living in, and writing about, the South. The Virginia native is former travel editor of the Dallas Morning News and Coastal Living magazine and founder of CivilRightsTravel.com. He served on a Pulitzer Prize team, is a seven-time Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award winner, and was honored for producing the best newspaper travel section in North America. Learn more at LarryBleiberg.com or facebook.com/larry.bleiberg.